I am organizing my garage and I have several gallon jugs of motor oil. Does it go bad if it's been sitting around a while? Should I get rid of this old but unused oil or could I keep it an use it? Also, if I have two half gallons of 5w 20 can I combine them into one container or not. They are different brands.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by winds-of-change

I am organizing my garage and I have several gallon jugs of motor oil. Does it go bad if it's been sitting around a while? Should I get rid of this old but unused oil or could I keep it an use it? Also, if I have two half gallons of 5w 20 can I combine them into one container or not. They are different brands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlinman

They should still be good if the seals aren't broken. Don't mix em.

They're fine, you can still use it. You can mix it as long as it's the same viscosity.

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They're fine, you can still use it. You can mix it as long as it's the same viscosity.

Even if the seal is broken? Someone told me oil "oxidizes" if it sits around and that you shouldn't mix different brand names of the same viscosity. Something about the detergents in them.

So, I am going to combine all like viscosity. I'm telling you. I am making good headway in this blasted garage and I can't wait to be done. Then I have about 4 different projects to start on in the house. I figured I'd do the garage before winter and work in the house when it's colder out.

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In general, liquid lubricants(not greases) will remain intact for a number of years. The main factor affecting the life of the oil is the storage condition for the products. Exposure to extreme temperature changes, and moisture will reduce the shelf life of the lubricants.

It is important to note that engine/motor oil, and transmission oil industry performance requirements are changing rapidly. The product may be stored three years and still be intact, but may not meet the latest specifications for your vehicle.

As a general rule, the simpler the oil formulation, the longer the shelf life. The following is a guideline under protected conditions:

In general, liquid lubricants(not greases) will remain intact for a number of years. The main factor affecting the life of the oil is the storage condition for the products. Exposure to extreme temperature changes, and moisture will reduce the shelf life of the lubricants.

It is important to note that engine/motor oil, and transmission oil industry performance requirements are changing rapidly. The product may be stored three years and still be intact, but may not meet the latest specifications for your vehicle.

As a general rule, the simpler the oil formulation, the longer the shelf life. The following is a guideline under protected conditions:

There are many "truths" about oil. I seriously doubt most of them are "true", at least not any longer. It used to be said you cannot mix conventional and synthetic oils. Now they are marketing "blended" oils. It looks like that one is off the table.

If you mix a quart of 5W20 and a quart of 20W50 you don't get a half gallon of 17.5W35. You get a half gallon of 5-20W20-50

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There are many "truths" about oil. I seriously doubt most of them are "true", at least not any longer. It used to be said you cannot mix conventional and synthetic oils. Now they are marketing "blended" oils. It looks like that one is off the table.

If you mix a quart of 5W20 and a quart of 20W50 you don't get a half gallon of 17.5W35. You get a half gallon of 5-20W20-50

I'm not mixing different weights, I'm just combining like weights of different brands. It seems my youngest son bought new windshield wiper fluid and a butt load of oil every time his car needed a refill or an oil change.

Now that I'm cleaning and organizing the garage, it'll be very easy to see what we have.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by winds-of-change

I'm not mixing different weights, I'm just combining like weights of different brands. It seems my youngest son bought new windshield wiper fluid and a butt load of oil every time his car needed a refill or an oil change.

Now that I'm cleaning and organizing the garage, it'll be very easy to see what we have.

I don't think there's anything wrong with mixing different brands. Personally I'm very picky about the oil I put in my truck. You just can't mix different weights as far as I know.

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